Thursday, March 6, 2014

I guess I have to admit that I am just not going to catch up with my blog. I wish I did not make it such a big deal to just sit and write and post. I do much better with my Facebook posting since I don't write so much. I could do that here as well but that does not seem much like blogging. Yes, I have strange ideas about doing things the 'correct' way even when I am the one who decides what is 'correct'. So, admitting that I am not going to catch up on everything here I am going to just post photos (the best part anyway) and do some descriptions.
I have been doing a lot of non-felt art. It is too cold for me to want to get my hands wet. I think I also needed a break from it...or something. My winning that award for my color pencil drawing also gave me a boost to want to do more of that. I did this new piece.

I also have been doing a lot with my new pastels. Especially a lot of experimenting with different surfaces to paint on.

I took a one day workshop at the West Hartford Art League with Frank Frederico since I had never taken any classes in using pastels. Here is a photo of Frank's demo piece.

And my piece at the end of class.

I did more to it when I got home.

I did this piece after the work shop and I can see a difference.

I have done some fiber art in the form of stitching on a piece I made while visiting my friend Joei. I wanted to do an all white piece but I guess I could not resist adding some soft colors. I am not sure what it will become if anything. I am viewing it as a sampler since I am playing with new embroidery stitches. It is a fun thing to just pick away at, working along without any real plan. I will let you know if it ever tells me it is finished.

About Me

Serendipity brought feltmaking into my life at a time when I needed to reconnect with the past and find a way to express my artistic side beyond my rigid dictionary illustration work. The softness of the fibers, the feel of the soapy water, the magic moment when the loose fibers become felt appealed to my unfulfilled need to use my fingers to manipulate the medium. It often feels as though I am just a facilitator for the art, as though the pieces have their own need to be created. There is a kind of conversation that flows from my mind and through my hands into the wool and back again, and during this exchange the questioning mind quiets. My landscapes reflect this sense of peace, creating worlds that invite the viewer to enter and rest in solitude. Through light and shade, the flowing organic lines, and the play of the varying colors the rush and rigidity of daily life falls away. The incredible range of techniques and materials that can be used in felting sustains my enthusiasm and the unpredictability of the way the fibers will blend has encouraged me to let go of the notion that a good artist is one that can render objects that appear realistic. Felting frees my soul.